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FLOW OF IDEAS Between Israel and Jews around the world 2 Identity Peace process Security Religion Philanthropy Culture Education Social justice Business Human rights Technology

A vibrant international Jewish civil society (1) 3 International organisations A Israeli Presidents Conference Israeli organisations and agencies D Regional organisations B Social Media International networks Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs National organisations C Knesset Diaspora committee Press & Books

A vibrant international Jewish civil society (2) How can we come up with one global space where there is… An open conversation in real time The inclusion of all organisations The inclusion of all Jewish individuals around the world Simultaneous discussions followed both in Israel and outside 4

Two policy proposals Proposal #1 “Jewish Parliament” Old idea (it has been previously discussed in Jewish circles) Proposal #2 “Jewish People’s Initiative” New idea: based on the structure of the “European Union Citizen’s Initiative” transposing this idea into a Jewish context 5

Proposal #1 1.Origins of a “Jewish Parliament” 2.From theory to imagination: how would such a forum look like? 3. Building structural scenarios A) RepresentationB) Voting system 6

A) Representation How to structure such a Parliament? 1.Based on quality? 2.Based on diversity? 3.Based on demography? 1. Exceptionally high level of debates between intellectuals, trend- setters and heads of Jewish organisations 2. Geographic diversity: preserving the pluralism of perspectives of Jews around the world 3. Statistical representation of the Jewish people: 80% of Jews either live in Israel or the US today. 7

B) Voting system Two scenarios for a world Jewish Parliament Proportional System modeled on the US Congress (sum of the seats in Senate + House of Reps) 8

B) Voting system Strict proportional democracy in a Jewish Parliament represented by the Diaspora 9 Source: Della Pergola (2010) in Jewish Demographic Policies, JPPI

Benefits and Disadvantages of a Jewish Parliament Benefits Thinking as a people; letting new ideas emerge Bringing together leadership and individuals (street & elite) Discussions followed across the Jewish world Disadvantages Many organisations already cater to the most diverse interests & needs Social media & networks already launch debates Is the concept of setting up a new “meeting room” outdated? 10 How can we keep the benefits and avoid the disadvantages?

Proposal #2 JEWISH PEOPLE’S INITIATIVE EUROPEAN UNION MODEL Individuals from 7 different countries submit a proposal to the EU executive (European Commission) 0.2% of the EU population= 1 MIO (out of 500 MIO) JEWISH MODEL Individuals submit a proposal to the Israeli government or major world Jewish organisations 0.2% of the world Jewish population = 26,800* Jews (out of 13.5 MIO) 11 Source: Della Pergola (2010) in Jewish Demographic Policies, JPPI

European Citizens Initiative 1 million people from 7 countries submit proposals 12 3 options European Commission must react to the proposal SUPPORT PROPOSAL “It’s a great idea” AMEND EXISTING PROPOSAL “We can take this into consideration and change our law” REJECT PROPOSAL “It’s a bad idea”

What would a Jewish People’s Initiative look like? 26,800 Jews in the world (0.2% pop) submit a proposal to the Israeli government 13 3 options The Israeli government must react to the proposal SUPPORT PROPOSAL “It’s a great idea” AMEND EXISTING PROPOSAL “We can take this into consideration and change our law” REJECT PROPOSAL “It’s a bad idea”

Time frame of the Initiative The initiative is submitted In the EU model: Hearing at the European Parliament In the Jewish model: Hearing at the Knesset After a one year long discussion, the proposal is accepted, rejected or amended 14 1 Year

15 A request that can be immediately reject or ignored The Jewish world engages in a 12- month debate on one specific idea Any Jewish individual can propose an idea to the Jewish world or to the government of Israel It’s mandatory for the government to examine a popular vote A referendum binds the government to a new law from scratch PetitionInitiativeReferendum WEAK MEDIUM STRONG

A STEP FURTHER: JEWISH PEOPLE’S INITIATIVE BETWEEN ISRAEL DIASPORA 0.2% of Diaspora Jews submit an initiative to the Israeli government 0.2% of 7, Diaspora Jews = 15, Source: Della Pergola (2010) in Jewish Demographic Policies, JPPI

A minefield of questions… Israelis should not be put at risk from a proposal made by Diaspora groups What constitutes a risk? What belongs to statehood and what belongs to peoplehood? Which ideas would focus more on cooperation, rather than division? 17

The potential of… Unity Education and culture Philanthropy Business ventures Technology Unprecedented partnerships between Israel & Diaspora Freeing untapped creativity of any individuals’ potential – Reinventing Jewish democracy as an example to the world Division Church/State relations Conversions Status of Jerusalem Settlements Arab spring – Could Jewish divisions be highlighted? – Could Jewish divisions be exacerbated? 18

How could a Jewish People’s Initiative change the Jewish world? Deepening issue-based discussions all over the Jewish world Connecting the Jewish establishment, unaffiliated individuals & Israeli policy-makers at the same time Challenging creative minds and capitalising on the talent of the Jewish people Adapting Zionism to globalisation through a new technology where it is possible to think and act as a people Inspiring new forms of democratic participation to diasporas across the world who wish to nurture connections with their homelands 19

“Tiptoeing on Minefields” by Joelle Fiss For orders of the book contact: 20

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